The old colonel, who was a native of Virginia, did not know exactly
where he stood. "He was very patriotic," he said, "very, but hanged if
he knew which side to take--both were wrong. He didn't go Nell's
doctrine, for Nell was a rabid Secesh; neither did he swallow Abe
Lincoln, and he'd advise Alice to keep a little more quiet, for there
was no knowing what the hotheads might do. He'd heard of Harney's
threatening vengeance on all Unionists, and now that Hugh was gone he
might pounce on Spring Bank any night."
"Let him!" and Alice's blue eyes flashed brightly, while her girlish
figure seemed to expand and grow higher as she continued: "he will find
no cowards here. I never touched a revolver in my life. I am quite as
much afraid of one that is not loaded as of one that is, but I'll
conquer the weakness. I'll begin to-day. I'll learn to handle firearms.
I'll practice shooting at a mark, and if Hugh is killed I'll--oh, Hugh!
Hugh--"
She could not tell what she would do, for the woman conquered all other
feelings, and laying her face on Rocket's silken mane, she sobbed aloud.
"There's pluck, by George!" muttered the old colonel. "I most wish Nell
was that way of thinking."
It was time now for Rocket to go, and 'mid the deafening howls of the
negroes and the tears of Mrs. Worthington and Alice he was led away, the
latter watching him until he was lost to sight beyond the distant hill,
then, falling on her knees, she prayed, as many a one has done, that
God would be with our brave soldiers, giving them the victory, and
keeping one of them, at least, from falling.
Sadly, gloomily the autumn days came on, and the land was rife with war
and rumors of war. In the vicinity of Spring Bank were many patriots,
but there were hot Secessionists there also, and bitter contentions
ensued. Old friends were estranged, families were divided, neighbors
watched each other jealously, while all seemed waiting anxiously for the
result. Toward Spring Bank the aspersions of the Confederate adherents
were particularly directed. That Hugh should go North and join the
Federal army was taken as an insult, while Mrs. Worthington and Alice
were closely watched, and all their sayings eagerly repeated. But Alice
did not care. Fully convinced of the right, and that she had yet a work
to do, she carried out her plan so boldly announced to Colonel Tiffton,
and all through the autumn months the frequent clash of firearms was
heard in the Spring Bank woods, where Alice, with Mug at her side, like
her constant shadow, "shot at her marks," hitting once Colonel Tiffton's
dog, and coming pretty near hitting the old colonel himself as he rode
leisurely through the woods.